Apparatus for use in determining the course to be given to torpedoes



QR lsMZiMQB II r Jan. 16, 1934. WATSQN 1,943,403

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETERMINING THE COURSE. TO BE GIVEN TO TORPEDOES Filed Feb. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. P. WATSON Jan. 16, 1934.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETERMINING THE COURSE TO BE GIVEN T0 TORPEDOES Filed Feb. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J? L J J KGM W 4 gwfhm -r Gum march J. P. WATSON Jan. 16, 1934.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETERMINING THE COURSE TO BE GIVEN T0 'IORPEDOES Filed Feb. 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES seems PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETERMINING THE COURSE TO BE GIVEN TO TOR- PEDOES Application February 18, 1932, Serial No. 593,835, and in Great Britain March 16, 1931 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-615) This invention relates to apparatus for use in directing the {training of torpedo tubes or for use in setting the gyroscope controlling the course of the torpedo or for both such uses, in order that the torpedo shall be given a course such that it will hit a moving target, taking into consideration the speed and course of the target, the speed of the torpedo and the course of own ship, 1. e. the ship carrying the torpedo tube.

According to the present invention means are provided whereby a vector representing the component of the target course and the target speed at right angles to the line of sight is compared with a similar component of the torpedo course and torpedo speed in such a manner as to ascertain quickly or continuously the correct torpedo course required in order to cause the torpedo to hit the moving target. Means are also provided for determining the maximum present" range (i. e. the range at the moment of firing) corresponding to the maximum firing range for various speeds of the torpedo when the tube is trained to the ascertained course.

The fundamental features of this invention will be understood by considering the triangle according to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, of which the side OE represents the line of sight from own ship (indicated by the point 0) to the target (indicated by the point E), the side EP represents, as regards its angle to the line of sight OE, the course or angle of inclination of the target and as regards its length the speed of the target to a chosen scale, and the third side OP represents the line of fire of the torpedo tube necessary to cause the torpedo and the target to meet at the point P, the length of OP representing to the chosen scale the speed of the torpedo. A line drawn from the point P at right angles to the line OE intersects the latter at a point D and this line represents the aforesaid vector which is proportional to the linear deflection. For the purpose of the present invention I may provide what I term a target "analyzer (i. e. an instrument for resolving the 5 triangle EDP) which is adjusted to the target course and to the target speed EP in order to determine the component DP, and a torpedo analyzer (i. e. an instrument for resolving the triangle ODP) which is adjusted to the torpedo speed OP and is angularly displaced until it gives a component equal to DP, the angular displacement being the angle DOP required. If OP represents the extreme firing range of a given torpedo at a given speed, OE will represent the corresponding extreme present" range at which the torpedo can be fired to reach the target; the target analyzer is employed for obtaining the component ED and the torpedo analyzer is employed for obtaining the component OD, these two components being added together mechanically as hereinafter described to give the distance OE.

In order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 represents the aforesaid triangle,

Figure 2 is a View showing diagrammatically a form of the invention,

Figure 3 is a plan showing a constructional form of one of the analyzers,

Figure 4 is a section taken approximately on the line 4, 4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a plan showing a constructional form of the device for indicating the maximum present range, and

Figure 6 is a section taken approximately on the line 6, 6 of Figure 5.

It should be mentioned that in Figure 1 the line OY represents the direction of movement of own ship, the angle LEP represents the course or angle of inclination of the enemy ship measured with respect to the line of sight OE, and the line OX represents a datum on own ship from which the sight angle XOE is measured, this datum being preferably, as shown, at right angles to OY; furthermore TOP represents an angle known as the gyro angle which will be hereinafter referred to.

In Figure 2, A represents a sight which is trained on the target by means of a handle A the movement of which is thus a measure of the sight angle XOE. B is the target analyzer (the details of which will be described later) comprising a crank which is angularly adjusted in accordance with the target course LEP by means of a handwheel B and suitable mechanism, this crank carrying a pin b which is adjustable radially in accordance with the target speed EP by means of a handwheel 1) (operating a target speed indi- 100 cator b and suitable mechanism. The movement of the crank and crank pin serve to move a slide 13 in accordance with the linear deflection DP and another slide B in accordance with the distance DE. The slide B has rack teeth mesh- 105 ing with a pinion b which, through suitable mechanism, operates a pointer b moving over a dial b to indicate the linear deflection. The purpose of the slide B will be described later. 0 is the torpedo analyzer (similar to the target 110 hoot? analyzer) comprising an angularly displaceable crank carrying a pin c which is adjustable radially in accordance with the torpedo speed OP by means of a handwheel 0 (operating a torpedo speed indicator 0 and suitable mechanism. This pin operates slides C and C of which the former has rack teeth meshing with a pinion c which, through suitable gearing, operates a pointer c moving concentrically with the aforesaid pointer N. The purpose of the slide C will be described later. The last mentioned crank is adjusted angularly by a handwheel C (termed the torpedo course handwheel) in order to bring the pointer c into line with the pointer b (at which time the movement of the slide C has equalled the movement of the slide B each of these movements corresponding to DP) and the angular movement of the torpedo analyzer in order to obtain synchronism between the two pointers is a measure of the deflection angle DOP to be given to the torpedo tube. It will also be seen that the movement of the slide C is in accordance with the distance OD.

The deflection angle is indicated by a pointer 0*, moving over a graduated dial C this pointer being operated by the torpedo course handwheel C. A transmitting switch C may also be operated by this handwheel for transmitting the deflection angle to the torpedo tube position. The sight angle (i. e. the angle XOE) is added to the deflection angle in order to operate a transmitter F in accordance with the sum of the sight angle and the deflection angle, (i. e. the angle XOP), the angle so transmitted being indicated by a pointer 13 moving over a dial F This addition is effected by means of a differential gear C under the conjoint influence of the torpedo course handwheel C and a shaft a operated by the sight training handwheel A. The angle XOP may thus be transmitted to the torpedo tube position, for setting the tube training or the gyroscope steering apparatus. The sight A may be mounted on the casing of the apparatus or it may be situated some distance therefrom; in the latter case the training movements of the sight are transmitted electrically or mechanically to the appropriate portion of the apparatus.

In the above described arrangement the parts F, C C and C which will now be described are not used, but when the torpedo course is to be determined by two settings, i. e. tube training and gyroscope control, the tube training angle XOT may be taken from the aforesaid sum of the sight angle and the deflection angle (i. e. the angle XOP) and the remainder will be equal to the gyro angle (i. e. an angle TOP corresponding to the adjustment given to the gyroscopic steering apparatus of the torpedo) In this case the tube training angle XOT is transmitted by a transmitter C operated by a handwheel C which also operates the pointer C of a training indicator. The said training angle XOT is first determined by the control officer and the handle C is then turned until the pointer C indicates this angle on the graduated dial of the training indicator. This training angle is added algebraically by means of a differential gear F to the sum of the sight angle and the deflection angle derived from the differential gear C and the resultant, which now corresponds to the said gyro angle, is transmitted by the transmitter F and indicated by the pointer F moving over the graduated dial F The movement of the sight line relative to own ship in following the target may be used to apply the change in the angle of inclination of the target which takes place due to the relative movements of target and own ship. This angle of inclination has been observed and set into the apparatus as previously described. Subsequently this angle may have varied as a result of movement of the target or movement of own ship or both. There are four different movements which may have an effect upon the angle of inclination of the target and also upon the angle of sight, as follows:-

(1) Alteration of the target course,

(2) Movement of the target along its existing course,

(3) Movement of own ship along its course,

(4) Alteration of "own ships course.

Alteration of the target course cannot be foreseen or provided against and can only be obtained by fresh observation; movement ofthe target along its existing course causes alteration to the angle of inclination and to the angle of sight by equal amounts; movement of own ship along its course also causes alteration to the angle of inclination and to the angle of sight by equal amounts, whilst alteration of own ships course causes alteration to the angle of sight but not to the angle of inclination. It will thus be seen that-ignoring factor (1)the angle of sight is altered by the three factors (2), (3) and (4) mentioned above and the angle of inclination is altered by the two factors (2) and (3) only. Alteration of the angle of sight is set into the apparatus by means of the aforesaid handle A and this movement offers a convenient means for applying the corresponding alteration to the target analyzer B, but this alteration would include an allowance for factor (4) which has no effect upon the angle of inclination of the target. I therefore utilize the movement of the handle A for the purpose in view but subtract from it a movement corresponding to the allowance for factor (4). This is effected by a motor G which is operated from the gyro compass and the movement of which is combined with the movement of the aforesaid shaft a by means of a differential gear G; the resultant is combined with the movement of the aforesaid target course handwheel B by a further differential gear G the resultant of which is the movement given to the crank of the target analyzer B. The effect of yaw of the ship is also eliminated by the mechanism described.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 which show a constructional form of the aforesaid analyzer B (the analyzer C being similarly constructed) J, K represent two toothed wheels rotatable about a common axis and meshing with pinions 7', 7c of which the pinion 7' is driven positively from a shaft 9" operated by the aforesaid target speed handwheel b and the pinion I0 is operated from the said shaft through a differential gear which is associated with a shaft 70 operated by the aforesaid differential gear G so that the pinion k (and therefore the toothed wheel K) can be given movements in addition to the movement imparted by the shaft :i'. A diametrical guide L formed in a rotatable member L receives a sliding block L which carries the aforesaid crank pin 1). The toothed wheel K is formed with internal teeth meshing with a pinion K the spindle of which is mounted in the wheel J and in the member L; this pinion also meshes with rack teeth formed on the sliding block L One direction in the instrument (indicated by the line X, X in. Figure 3) represents the direction along the line of sight. When the shaft 1 is rotated both the wheels K and L rotate together and the member L' is angularly displaced to cause the guide L to assume a new direction such as that represented by Y, Y in Figure 3. Independent rotational movement of the wheel L under the influence of the shaft effects rotation of the pinion K about its axis and consequently the sliding block is moved along its guide L to a distance from its central position corresponding to the extent of the said independent rotational movement. The pin b carries a block b engaging in slots formed in the aforesaid slides B B which are constrained by fixed guides B 3 to move in a direction at right angles to the line of sight X, X and in the direction of the line of sight respectively. In Figure 2 which shows the analyzers diagrammatically, those parts of the analyzer B which correspond to the parts shown in Figures 3 and 4 are indicated by similar reference letters.

The aforesaid slides B C moving in accordance with the distances DE, OD as aforesaid have rack teeth meshing with pinions B 0 (Figure 2) which, through suitable mechanism, drive shafts b c the movements of which are added together by a differential gear H which rotates a shaft H in accordance with the resultant, i. e. in accordance with the total distance OE. The shaft H rotates a drum H (see particularly Figures 5 and 6) which is marked circumferentially at different places along its length with a seriesfour for exampleof different graduations giving the extreme present ranges for different torpedo speeds. A rotary shutter H provided with windows h arranged along the shutter to correspond with the position of the range graduations and also arranged at different positions around the circumference of the shutter, is angularly displaced by a shaft c operated by the torpedo speed setting handwheel 0'. Thus different range graduations corresponding to the torpedo speed are exposed by the windows and the maximum present range for any particular speed is read with reference to a mark H on the shutter H the torpedo speed being indicated by a number engraved near the said mark. It can therefore be seen whether the conditions are such that the torpedo, if fired, will reach the target at the aforesaid point P. The shutter rotates beneath an open frame H which is attached to a fixed part of the firing range indicator and carries a reading line b to facilitate the readings. This indicator is shown only diagrammatically in Figure 2 and it will be observed that in the constructional form according to Figures 5 and. 6 the shafts H and c are arranged differently as compared with the diagrammatic representation in Figure 2.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:--

1. Apparatus for use in determining the course to be given to torpedoes, comprising a sight for observing a moving target, means adjustable in accordance with the target course and speed including a vector representing the component of target course and speed at right angles to the line of sight, means adjustable in accordance with a similar component of the torpedo course and speed for comparison with the movements of the first means for continuously determining the correct torpedo course required in order to cause the torpedo to hit the moving target.

2. Apparatus for use in determining the course to be given to torpedoes, comprising a sight for observing a moving target, an analyzer adjustable in accordance with target course and speed and including a vector representing the component of target course and speed at right angles to the line of sight, a second analyzer adjustable in accordance with torpedo speed and which is also adjustable to give the torpedo course, and an indicator having parts adjustable by the two analyzers, whereby equal adjustment of the indicator parts causes the second analyzer to give the required torpedo course.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including mechanism at least partially actuated by the sight and by one of the means for adding the sight angle and the deflection angle, and an indicator operated by the mechanism.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, including mechanism at least partially actuated by the sight and by one of the means for adding the sight angle and the deflection angle, an indicator operated by said mechanism, and means for modifying the angle indicated by the indicator in accordance with the gyro angle for the torpedo.

5. Apparatus in accordance withclaim 2, including means adjustable by the sight, means responsive to changes in the movement of own ship, and operative connections between the last two means and the first analyzer for modifying the movements thereof in accordance with changes in the inclination of the target resulting from movements of the target along its ascertained course and movement of own ship along its course.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, including an indicator adjustable by the analyzers for indicating the maximum present range, and means for adjusting the indicator in accordance with various torpedo speeds.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, including a graduated indicator adjustable by the analyzers for indicating maximum present range, and a shutter on the indicator adjustable in accordance with various torpedo speeds for exposing the particular series of graduations of the indicator corresponding to the selected torpedo speed. 1

JOHN PERCIVAL WATSON. 

